Street Fighter 6 Director Surprised by Release Price
Capcom has announced the dates for the Capcom Cup 12 and SFL: World Championship tournaments, both eagerly awaited by Street Fighter fans. However, the fees charged for broadcasting the events have caused surprise among both the community and the development team. Street Fighter 6 director Takayuki Nakayama stated that they were as surprised as the players themselves when they saw these pricing changes.
Street Fighter 6 Tournament Broadcasts Draw Backlash
Capcom Cup 12 and the SFL World Championship will take place on March 14-15, 2026. However, the broadcasts for these tournaments will only be available for a fee. The fee for a single broadcast is 4,000 yen (approximately $27) and for both events is 6,000 yen (approximately $40). This decision has sparked considerable backlash from the community, with Street Fighter 6 director Nakayama expressing surprise at the prices.
Nakayama said on social media, “It may seem strange, but yes, the development team and esports team work separately. Therefore, the goals and priorities between departments differ.” The director also stated that he and producer Matsumoto learned about this pricing at the event and were shocked.
While community debate continues regarding Capcom’s streaming decision, Nakayama said that the situation has begun to be discussed internally. “We are sorry for causing concern to players,” the director said, adding that he might have to delete his comments if he faces backlash at work. This statement clearly demonstrates that he shares the community’s reactions.
This decision will be a significant test for the Street Fighter series, as paid streaming could make it harder for esports to reach a wider audience. Meanwhile, the date for the series’ next film has been confirmed: the Street Fighter film will be released in October 2026. With a busy season approaching for both gaming and film, it remains to be seen whether Capcom will reconsider its decision regarding tournament streaming.
